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PCB Reignites Protest Against Pycroft Ahead Of UAE Match With Fiery 2nd Letter To ICC

Sakshi Sharma

India vs Pakistan (Source:@AFP)India vs Pakistan (Source:@AFP)

In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has escalated its protest against match referee Andy Pycroft by sending a second letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday night.

PCB Doubles Down On Pycroft Controversy 

In the second letter, the Pakistan board has demanded his immediate removal from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. This comes just hours before Pakistan’s must-win match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on September 17.

It is important to note that despite ICC's rejection of the first complaint, the PCB has decided and remains firm in its stance that Pycroft displayed 'partiality' during Pakistan’s group-stage defeat to India on September 14. The PCB has also requested that Richie Richardson should be appointed in Pycroft’s place.

“We have sent another letter to the ICC. We are not pleased with the response. All the aspects were not reviewed related to Andy Pycroft. The ICC’s response comes as a mere formality. Our stand is firm. Andy Pycroft cannot be the match referee," A PCB insider told Hindustan Times.

Pycroft Allegedly Took Orders From BCCI, Claims PCB Source

Adding fuel to the fire, a report by Dawn cited a PCB official has stated that match referee Andy Pycroft had been 'acting at the behest of the BCCI.' The claim reportedly surfaced during a conversation between PCB team director Naveed Akram Cheema and tournament officials.

Earlier, Pakistan had reportedly threatened to boycott their crucial Group A match against the UAE unless match referee Chris Pycroft was removed from officiating duties.

This situation has come at a critical point in the tournament. Both Pakistan and UAE currently sit on two points each in Group A. UAE's recent victory over Oman has put them on equal footing with Pakistan, making today’s (September 17) match effectively a knockout clash.